SLR cameras are expensive, so it pays to make the most of all of their features. However, if you are upgrading from a standard point-and-shoot camera, then you might need some incentive to challenge yourself to experiment. Unless you are trying to profit from your passion, pushing yourself to use your camera to its fullest potential takes some encouragement. My advice is to look around at all of the subjects you can capture creatively with your picture-taking tool, and then work on your skills.
For example, a trip to a nature preserve yields incredible photo opportunities. Professional photographers can make ordinary waterways look like oil paintings; however, with a little practice there is no reason you can’t do the same. When aiming your camera at moving water consider your angle and lighting source. In order to take a shot that makes it look as though you’re slowing down the rate of moving water you will need to force your camera’s shutter to remain open. In doing so you can manipulate the main focus of your photo–the water—while the rest of the elements in the image stay crisp and clear. Depending on your lighting situation you’ll want to adjust the aperture priority setting on your SLR. Try some test shots with it set to f-8, f-11, or f-16, if possible. Doing so will yield greater depth of field and reduce the shutter speed.
Adjusting the aperture setting is something you can’t do on a basic point-and-shoot camera, which is why you should take advantage of the feature with a SLR. In general, f/8 is a good all-around setting that can be used when shooing outdoors on a relatively sunny day, though you will need to learn how to change the settings as your shooting conditions modify. Generally speaking, when you are shooting at night or in low light situations you’ll want to change the setting to f/5 to f/7; landscape shots typically can be documented with a f/16 setting; and action shots can usually be snapped with a f/2 setting. Just remember when you are experimenting with settings, a high f-number will reduce aperture, increase the depth of field and give you a sharper image.
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